Compressor



Patented Nov. 24, 1936 COMPRESSR Lindsay Hugh Browne, Rochester, N. Y., assignmto Kellogg Manufacturing Co., lltochesten.v N. Y., av corporation of New York Application 'october 4, 1.932, serial No. 636,214

7 Claims.

l This invention relates to improvements in com pressors and more particularly to the valve arrangement .including the intake and ,exhaust valves of a compressor which is particularly 'adapted for use in a refrlgerating system.

" The primary object of the invention is the prolvision of a new and improved valve assembly for compressors.

, Another .and further object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved complete valve assembly which is quickly, easily and cheaply replaceable in the compressor as a complete unit. i

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved valves for a complete valve assembly for compressors, the predominant featuresof which are the quiet action of the valves and the cover plates for the valves for limiting vtheir movement and for catching and preventing any parts of the valves from-dropping into the come pressor cylinder in the event one of the valves is broken.

Many other specific novei features oi? construe tion and improved results will be pointed. out and listed in the following description and will be treated in detail therein and understood lulll7 when the description is read in the light oi the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a diagrammatic lay-cut of a re frigerating system having therein the present compressor includingl the Vimproved valve assembly therefor.A

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional. view through the upper end of the compressor and the valve assembly therefor. A

' Fig. 3 is a bottom plan View of the valve plate `which constitutes the valve assembly.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken at right angles to Fig. 2 and on the line l--l of Fig. 2 looking in the direction indicated by arrows.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View through the discharge and suction shut-ou" valve.

Fig. 6 is a view in strung-out perspective of one of the valve cover plates and one of the valves used in conjunction therewith.

Having reference particularly to Figure l, the

refrigerating system will be described in broad (ci. 23o-172i E, the evaporator at "F, a thermostat bulb andl suction line clamp at G, and a thermostat at H. A suction controlled valve is positioned at K, a discharge control valve at L and the receiver shut-od valve at M.

It will be evident that the compressor is connected with the condenserandrecelver by a pipe N, that the condenser and receiver is connected with the expansion valve by a pipe O which valve in turn is connected with the evaporator which has connection with the intake valve of the COmpreSSOT. y, i

The thermostat bulb and thermostat G" and H are 'for the purpose of opening and closing the electric circuit `for stopping and starting the driving motor C to start and stop the refrigerating action of the system.

. The compressor in most of its structure lsof a more or less conventional form and in the drawings is illustrated as a single belt driven unit of the reciprocating type and comprises a crank case l having therein aeranlr shaft 2 to which is connected a piston connecting rod 3 for reciprocat ing the piston l in the'cyllrider which cylinder is provided on its outer periphery with a series of extending fins t for radiation of heat which assists in keeping the cylinder cool.

lt is of course intended that in the base or crank case i of the compressor oil is provided for the lubrication oi the 'parts by the common splash system.\ The piston t is not provided with rings but is provided with two oil grooves l. Rings ior the piston are not considered necessary for proper compression as the clearance between the piston and the walls oi the cylinder is something lessl than one-half of one thousandth of aninch.

The compressor is of course provided with a head which is designated as an entirety at 8 but between the cylinder head and the upper end of the cylinder is interposed a valve plate which carries the complete valve assembly, which plate is designated as an entirety by the numeral 9. e

The suction intake or the compressor from the evaporator is designated at it and the compressor discharge to the condenser is indicated at ll.

The outer ends of these passageways HG and Il of the cylinder.'

passage'ways I9 and I4 that the valve plate 9 rests. vIn other words the valve plate which conf tains both the suction and discharge valves of the compressor lies in the head of the compressor.

Having particular reference to this valve plate 9 the construction of which is illustrated in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 6, it will be seen that the plate/9 itself is circular in shape to agree with the shape and configuration of the compressor cylinder and that it is secured in place between the compressor head 9 and the upper end I9 of the compressor cylinder by a plurality of bolts I9. The plate has in its under face a bore I1 adapted to receive the upwardly extending end of a dowel pin I9 positioned in the compressor head. This dowel pin properly locates the valve plate of the compressor head to prevent any erro in assembly and alsovautomatically aligns the b`olt holes of the valve plate with the bolt holes in the cylinder head and upper end 'I'he valve plate has a horizontal bore or passageway I9, one end of which has communication with `the upper end of the bore or passageway I3 through a screen 29 while the other end of this' horizontal passageway passes outwardly through the lower face of the valve plate as indicated at 2 I. A circular raised valve seat 22 surrounds' this passageway I2I and a valve Y oi' light spring or resilient material rests upon this seat and is held in position over it by means of a valve cover plate Z, which plate is secured to the under face of the valve plate by two screws 29.

By reference to Figure 6 of the drawings it will be seen that the valve Y has a circular or discllike center portion 24 from which extend the four arms 25. The valve cover plate has in one face a circular centrally arranged cut-out portion 26 in which the disc-like portion of the valve is adapted to move and from this central cut-out portion extend the radially arranged cut-out portions 2'I which are adapted to receive the extending arms 25 of the valve. This valve cover plate is provided with openings 29 for the pasasge of the screws 23 and is additionally provided with oppositely arranged passageways 29 and 29'L which are positioned in the ends of the cut-out portions or depressions 90 which comm'unicate'with the central depressed portion 26 of the valve cover plate.

The spring arms 25 of thevalveY normally hold this valve'upon its seat 22 thus closing the'pasj sageway 2l.

The opening 29* of the valve plate cover communicates with the interior of the compressor cylinder as does also the opening 29 but the opening 29 additionally communicates with an obliquelyA arranged discharge passageway 3| which extends completely through the valve plate and at its -upper end is surrounded by an outwardly struck circular valve seat 32 on the upper face of the Valve plate. A/rvalve S which is alduplication of the valve -Y in configuration and construction with the exception that it is,of a lighter gauge-material so as to have less resilient strength, is positioned upon the valveseat 32 and normally helcthereon I by its spring arms which are retained in a -valve cover plate R which is a vduplicate in coniiguration and construction of 4the valve cover plate Z heretofore described. This valve cover plate S -is deemed necessary or desirable.

is secured to the upper face of the valve. plate by two screws exactly as is the valve cover plate Z and has, two openings 93 and 93* which communicate with the chamber 94 in the underside y,of the cylinder head 8'.

vAs the horizontally disposed `passageway I9' is drilled from the Aouter peripheral edge of .the

valve plate the outer end of this passageway is closed by a plug 39. The valve platecan be and.

is preferably made of a harderand closer grained metal than the cylinder or cylinder head which provides better valve seats. The valve seats 23v and 32- extending outwardly from the valve plate as they do, they can be easily lapped when it The screen 29 positioned ahead of, or in front of the inlet valve Y guards against and` prevents dirt .from reaching either the valves or the cylinder. 'The design vof the complete,valve Vassembly canied by a plate provides for easy and quick removal for inspection or repairv or for the substitution of a second valve plate carrying a valve assembly in the event of any breakage.

The valve plate construction also makes it possible to providel a compressor of leas overall height and permits the valves to be undisturbed when the cylinder head or valve plate is removed. 'I'he construction, shape and design has the ad vantage that the number of' working parts are i reduced because the valve and valve spring are combined in the valve as a unit and that the seat of the valve is definitely located by the four extending arms from the valve disc. Furthermore the spring tension of the valves' can be easily changed by substituting valves of a diil'erent thickness of material.

The valveythemselves can be easily lapped in the valve arms may be used as driving members for the valves during the lapping operation.

Quiet action ofthe valves is 'assured due to the well distributed spring action. Y

'Ihe valve cover plates themselves also provide for certain advantages in that a high volumetric eillci'ency is had due to a small unswept compressionV space. Furthermore these cover plates hold the valves definitely in.-position on their seat andprevent their shifting and limit the valve action or movement thus prolonging the ,life of the valves and assuring quiet valve action.

Furthermore the valve coverplates prevent `any parts of the valves from dropping into the comf pressor cylinder and causing damage in the' event that one of the valves should break. vT'he valve cover plates for the intake and-exhaust valve being identical in construction are interchangeable. The valves themselves are normally perfectly flat but the valve coverplates in the lassembled construction exert an even and def;

lnite tension on each of the four legs of the valve thereby holding the valves squarely on their seats. The valves, supported as they are upon the ends ports with a minimum valve lift or movement.

The valve seats extending outwardly from the ,surface of the valve plate provide that a definite tension is exertedon the valves and seats in the assembled construction.

For repair or substitution of valves in the compressor it is necessary only to remove the six bolts which hold the compressor head in place, and then replace a valve plate which is complete with suction or discharge valve and then bolt the compressor head again in place. No iine nor difficult adjustment is required ,in the assembly of the valve plate as the correct lift and tension of the'valve is automatically provided and main` tained due to the design of the construction.

' The construction of the suction and discharge shut-off valves K and L are identical and are illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings. Here it will be seen that the valve 40 cooperates with the seat.

4I. The valve is opened and closed by rotation and to this end the valve stem is provided with a squared end 42 which is normally covered by a removable cap 43. The valve is locked in set position by a set-screw 44. Connection with the pipe line is had at 45 and 46.

Inasmuch as theinlet valve Y and its cover plate Z extend beyond the -lower face of the valve 'plate the upper end of the cylinder is provided with a circular seat 50 for the reception of the valve cover plate. To prevent leakage a gasket 5I is positioned at the under side of the valve plate and a gasket 52 at the upper side thereof.

Operation As the compressor is driven and the piston goes down the gas or refrigerant is drawn through the intake or suction shut-off valve K into thepastravels downwardly into the crank case.

The gas or refrigerant/itself travels upwardly through the screen 2U into the horizontal passageway I9 of the valve plate and through the opening 2I to the suction valve lY. The valve Y is lifted -oifl of its seat against spring tension thus allowing gas to pass into the cylinder above the piston through ,the openings 29 and 29a.

When the piston has reached the bottom of its stroke and the suction action has ceased the tension in the arms of the intake valve Y causes this valve to return toits seat and close. On the up-stroke of the piston the valve Y being closed gas passes upwardly through the opening 29, as its only avenue of escape, through the passageway 3I in the valve plate to 'the escape -valve R which it lifts from its seat against the spring tension of the valve arms.I y

With the valve R elevated and open the gas passes through the valve cover plate openings 33 and 33EL into the cylinder head chamber 34 where it passes rdownwardly through the valve plate passageway 3`to the passageways I4 and II and through the `discharge cut-olf valve L to the condenser and receiver D;

A continued operation of the compressor is of course a repetition of the cycle of operation just described. n

Having described the improved construction and having-pointed out in detail its several and many advantages, what I now desire to cover and protect by Letters Patent is defined in the following claims:

Having thus described my invention what I y claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. For use with a compressoror other like detherefor. a valve assembly comprising a plate positioned upon the cylinder beneath the chambered head, said plate having an intake passage-- -vice having a cylinder and a chambered head bered head, a resilient valve at the under side of said plate for normally closing the inlet passageway, a resilient exhaust valve at the opposite side of said plate for normally closing c'ommunication between the vcylinder and the chambered head, each of said valves comprising a disc having extending arms, valve' cover plates for s'aid valves, said coverl plates having channels for receiving and guiding said valve plate arms, a chamber centrally arranged in said plates to permit movement of the disc portion of the valves, outlet passageways through said cover plates communicatingwith said central chamber, valve seats surrounding the ends of the passageways which said valves control, and means to securesaid valve cover plates to the main. plate to hold said valves against said seats under spring tension.

2. An improved compressor and valve assembly construction, comprising a compressor having a crank case, a cylinder and a chambered head therefor,a valve assembly comprising a valve plate positioned between the cylinder and its chambered head, an inlet passageway in said plate adapted for communication with the cylinder, a resilient valve for controlling said passageway, a passageway through said plate forming a communication between the cylinder andthe chambered head, a resilient valve controlling said passageway, an outlet passageway in said plate communicating with the chambered head, an inlet passageway in the cylinder wall communicating with both the crank case and the inlet passageway of the valve plate, and an exhaust passageway in the cylinder wall communieating with the exhaust passageway lof the valve plate, and means for securing said valves in operative positions on said plate. l

3. An improved compressor or device of a similar nature, comprising a cylinder and a driven piston therefor, a chambered head for said cylinder, a valve assembly comprising a plate positioned on said cylinder beneath its chambered head, bolts for securing'both said l cylinder head and valve plate in position on the cylinder, anl inlet passageway in said plate having its inner end communicating with said cylinder, a valve seat on said plate surrounding the inner end of said passagewayfa. resilient intake valve and acover plate for holding it on said seat under resilient tension, a passageway ,through said plate connecting the cylinder with the chambered head, ,a valve seat surrounding the end of' said passageway adjacent the head, a resilient valve and a plate forholding it under tension upon said'valve seat, and an exhaust passageway through said plate.

4. For use with a compressor or other'similar device having `a cylinder and a chambered head, a valve assembly comprising a plate carrying at its opposite sides an intake and an exhaust valve, a dowel pin in the upper enclof said cylinder and a holein said valve plate for the reception oi.' said Adowel pin to properly position said plate on the cylinder,` an intake passageway .insaid platev communicating with the cylinder through said in take valve, an outlet passageway through said plate connecting the cylinder with the chambered head through said exhaust valve, `an exhaust passageway through said plate connecting the chambered head with the atmosphere, raised valve seats on said `plate for said valves, said valves composed of a resilient material and comsageway, an inlet valve at one side of the plate prising a disc portion seating on said'valve seats and having arms extending'outwardly from the opposite sides of said discportlon, valve cover plates having channels for the movable reception of said valve arms and a centrally` cut-out portion to permit the movement of the disc portions o! the'valves, means to secure said valve cover plates to the main plate to hold the valves upon their seats under spring tension through pressure exerted upon the extending arms of. the valve, and said cover plates having outlet openings communicating with the central depressed portion of the plates.

5. Anyimproved valve assembly comprising a plate having a` longitudinally disposed^inlet passageway, a transversely disposed outlet passagewayvand a transversely arranged exhaust pasfor controlling the inlet passageway, an exhaust valve at the opposite side of the,l plate i'orl controlling the outlet passageway, a raised seat surrounding the inner-end of the inlet passageway and a raised seat surrounding the outer endof the outlet passageway, said inlet and outlet valves composed ot a resilient material having a disc portion with extending arms, valve covers have..

ing therein channelways for' the arms of .said valves. means to secure said valve covers to the plates for holding the valve disc portion upon the raised seat under spring tension, said valve covers being of a solid constructin and having passageways therethrough and ad pted for communicationwiththe'inlet and outlet passageways respectively of the valve plate. the parts operating as andior the purpose described.

6. For use with acompressor having a cylinder and a removable chambered head, a unit comprising a valve assembly composed oi a-plate positioned between the cylinder and its head.' a'uid inlet passageway in said plate communicating with a source of fluid supply and adaptedv for communication with the cylinder beneath the plate, a pressure ,discharge passageway extending through theplate and' forming a meansof communication between the cylinder andthe cylinder head chamber, a pressure outlet passageway through said plate having communication with the cylinder head chamber and with an outlet conduit, a resilient suction operated valve at the under side of the plate for normally closing the Ainletpassageway to the cylinder, a resilient` pressure operated valve at the-opposite side of the plate for normally closing communication of the discharge passageway of the plate with the cyl-` inder head chamber, cover plates lor said valves,

said valves comprising a central disc portion provided with radially extending resilient arms, said valve @over plates provided with channels for movably receiving and guiding said valve arms,

said cover plates forming in combination withA the valve plate a chamber for the valves, and said cover plates provided with openings to provide for fluid passage through the cover plates when the respective valves are open.

'7. An improved valve construction comprising a plate having an orice therein, a resilient valve for normally closing said orifice, said valve comprisingv a disc having extending arms, a valve cover plate for said disc and arms, said cover plate having `a centrally arranged chamber -to permit iiexing movement of the disc portion oi' the valve and provided with channels for receivingand guiding the valve plate-arms, and outlet passageways in said 'cover plate vcommunicating with said orice through the central cham'ber oi' the cover plate. LINDSAY HUGH BROWNlI. 

